Steve Price confirms the end of his playing career

Prop Steve Price today confirmed his NRL playing career is over but added he will see out his final season by continuing to support his Vodafone Warriors team-mates in every way he can throughout the rest of the 2010 season.

Price (36) conceded his on-going heel injury had not improved and he now accepted he won't be playing for the Vodafone Warriors again.

Earlier this season he announced he would retire at the end of this season but emphasised he was doing all he could to overcome his injury in a bid to return to the field.

"It's disappointing it has come to this because I really have tried everything to get myself back out there with the team," said Price.

"But while my playing career is over, I'll continue to help the team and the club in every way I can. That doesn't change. We're working hard and have had a couple of really important wins in our last two starts.

"I can't finish my career the way I'd like to but I'll still be in there helping the boys."

Price started his career with the Vodafone Warriors in 2005, going on to play 91 NRL games for the club and 313 in total (222 for the Bulldogs from 1994-2004). "Steve has done a wonderful job for the Vodafone Warriors and, as he says, there are still plenty of ways he can help even though he hasn't been able to play this season," said chief executive Wayne Scurrah. "We have a lot to thank Steve for and, in our last home game of the season against Brisbane, we'll be paying tribute to him."

Vodafone Warriors coach Ivan Cleary said Price's injury problems this year had been a real setback for the club's plans in 2010. "Steve was a huge part of our plans and there's no question we've missed him," he said.

"He had deserved status in the game as one of the very best front rowers and has played a significant role in turning around this club's fortunes. "While it's obviously disappointing for Steve personally that his playing career is finishing this way, it's also a real blow for us that we haven't been able to benefit from his ability on the field this year."

As well as 15 Tests for Australia, Price has played 28 State of Origin matches for Queensland, a record for a forward in Origin's history.